Sourcing cotton terry face flannels from China

Cotton terry construction determines the code

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 6302 covers bed linen, table linen, toilet linen and kitchen linen. Cotton terry face flannels fall within the cotton terry toilet-linen family, with separate lines for knitted or crocheted construction and other construction. See the cotton terry bath towel guide for the wider heading.

Both cotton terry lines carry 12% duty for goods from China. The supplied record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls for these lines. The table also identifies non-terry cotton alternatives; these are different fabrics, not additional terry classifications. The wider heading's 6% lines concern man-made-fibre nonwovens.

Confirm the commodity code using the actual fibre composition, terry structure and method of construction. Give your customs broker fabric details and a finished sample rather than relying on the supplier's description of a face cloth.

Specify loops, absorbency and washed size

Specify cotton composition, woven or knitted construction, fabric weight, loop height and density, finished dimensions, colour and hem construction. State whether dimensions apply before or after washing. Agree acceptable lint shedding, absorbency and changes in size and shape using the intended washing and drying process.

Approve samples for facial contact, checking softness when wet, scratchy hems, loose loops and any embroidery backing. Compare water uptake before and after laundering, and check colour transfer onto a pale cloth. Retain washed and unwashed samples for comparison with production.

For sale in Great Britain, textile labels must show fibre content, and consumer products must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Compare label wording with evidence for the production fabric. Keep care instructions consistent with the laundering checks completed on that fabric.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: 5,000 woven cotton terry face flannels; illustrative order, not a quotation under 6302 60 00 90, invoiced at £7,500 free on board, with £900 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £8,400. Duty at 12% is £1,008. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £9,408, so it is £1,881.60. Import taxes total £2,889.60; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,008 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Fabric and loops: compare weight, loop density, softness and absorbency with the approved sample; inspect for bare patches, pulled loops and loose fibres.

Washing: measure supplied and washed flannels; check shrinkage, twisting, lint shedding and colour transfer using the agreed laundry process.

Edges and decoration: inspect hems, corners, skipped stitches and loose threads; feel for hard seams and exposed embroidery backing.

Labels and packing: compare fibre labels, pack contents and quantities with the specification; open cartons to check dampness, odour and mould. Record findings through quality inspection.

What goes wrong

A heavily softened sample feels smooth but takes up water slowly. Production flannels may shed more lint, have thinner loops or develop hard hems after washing. Test production samples after laundering and compare them with the retained washed sample before approving shipment.

Uneven shrinkage can turn a square flannel into a distorted cloth, while dark dyes can transfer onto pale laundry. Damp packing can leave odour or mould on arrival. Compare samples across cartons and record the actual fabric and finish so that a repeat order can be checked against the same specification.

Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For own-brand ranges, see sourcing for brands.